Struggling Free (Hidden Secrets Book 5)

by Belden, P. J.

  “This is my beautiful wife, Vicky,” I heard Jake say. “Vicky, I’m sure you’ve heard of Johnny Depp.”

  “Holy Shit,” I breathed and they both laughed. “Hi,” I said after a moment of staring at him.

  Soon the lights were dimmed and I took that as my cue to stop embarrassing myself and face forward. Jake wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I leaned into him. There were performances by some amazingly talented singers. I believe I heard Danger whistling a time or two at some of the women on the stage. Then the moment came, Best Actor of the Year award was announced with Jake’s name listed in the category as nominees. I gripped his arm excitedly and he smiled at me kissing my forehead.

  “The winner is…” the woman takes her time opening the envelope and I was practically bouncing in my seat with anticipation.

  “Calm down babe. This isn’t one I will win. I’m always nominated for this one, but never win,” he whispered.

  Sagging back into the chair, “Why not? You’re amazing!”

  “I’m glad you think so,” he winked.

  “… Jacob Williams!”

  I screamed. “That’s you baby!”

  “What? What’s me?”

  “You won! You won!” If I could have stood at that moment I would have been jumping up and down.

  “Well, holy shit,” he whispered. As he stood, pulling me up with him, then kissed me before scooting past me and walking up to the stage. Paco and Dean scooted down next to me while Jake was on stage.

  He kissed the woman on the cheek and shook the man’s hand before walking up to the podium, looking at the award in his hand. Our eyes met and I knew he was speechless. I blew him a kiss. Jake smiled bigger.

  “Wow, uh, I’ve been nominated for this award so many times that I’ve become accustomed to not winning,” he laughed and everyone joined in. “This year has been one for the books for me. A lot of changes and additions to my family, but none more important to me than my wife Vicky,” he looked in my direction again and I blew him another kiss. “She has shown me the life I’ve always wanted, but was afraid to reach for. We are expecting triplets in about five more months. I love you, baby. This is just the cherry on top of the cake for me. A symbol of all the changes and the positive direction my life is going. Thank you so much for this honor and surprise.”

  He was then led off stage and my heart began to beat frantically at not being able to see him and that he was unprotected. Paco leaned in to me and whispered that he’d be back out in a few minutes. I tried to calm myself down, but that wasn’t going to happen until he was sitting back next to me.

  Sure enough a few minutes later, Jake was back sitting next to me. The ceremony continued and Jake won three more awards: Best Lead Actor, Best comedy, and Best Inspirational Actor. It was as he received the last award that I saw his happiness crack. He didn’t think he was an inspiration. Jake walked slowly to the stage.

  “Guys, I need to do something. I know him. He’s cracking. Please don’t stop me.”

  “As long as we are next to you, fine.” Danger countered.

  “Deal.”

  I watched as Jake took to the podium for the fourth time. He kept his head down and stared at the award. He was so focused on that, he didn’t see me stand up and start walking toward the stage.

  “Wow, if there was one award I was afraid of winning, it would be this one. I don’t know that I’m the best candidate for this one,” he looked up then and saw me. “Baby, what are you doing?” He whispered to the side of the mic.

  “You are the exact person to win this award,” I stepped next to him and pushed him back a little. “I need a little more room than that, carrying three kids here,” I smirked at him and the room laughed. “My husband feels that he doesn’t deserve this award because he had a weak moment in his life. A moment that led to a struggle to break free from, but,” I turned and looked at my amazing husband, “he overcame that moment. He made it through the loss of his brother. He made it back to me. Everyone has moments that we feel like failures, but the only time we fail are the moments we stop trying. You never did that. You pulled yourself together and helped your family through the loss of Eli. You helped Eli’s wife and kids function without him there. You helped a man that was drowning in sorrow find a light again. And… And you helped me realize that life is full of surprises and sadness, but those moments that we cherish are usually the unexpected ones. I definitely never expected someone like you falling for a girl like me, but by some miracle you did and now three new people will see exactly how inspirational you are. You are inspirational. Everyone sees it… but you.”

  When I finished my speech, I looked and realized the spectacle that I’d just made of my husband and quickly apologized and stepped back. Jake cleared his throat and stepped forward.

  “As my wife just mentioned, I lost my brother a few months ago. He was my inspiration. Eli was the man that I went to if I had a problem and he always knew if something was up with one of us siblings. When he passed, I was really mean to Vicky and ended up overdosing on drugs. At that moment, I just didn’t want to carry on. My brother was gone and not much older than myself. But as I woke in the hospital there was a picture, my favorite picture, in my hand with a note on the back. ‘Never forget how amazing you are. I won’t.’ It was that message that pushed me through the hardest moments of my life. I don’t feel inspirational, but damn if I’m not inspired because of this beautiful woman next to me.”

  The room erupted in applause and everyone began to stand. I even saw several people wiping their eyes. Jake said a thank you over the crowd and walked over to me. We were just about to walk off stage when someone screamed Jake’s name.

  Down the aisle walked Jared. Anger boiled in me as he tried to ruin my husband’s moment.

  “You’re a fucking phony is what you are! This isn’t even your wife! This is someone you paid to portray it for the votes. You had a different girl a few months ago, you douche.”

  Just as I was about to reply Casey stepped forward. “This is his wife. I was at their wedding last week. I’ve also spent enough time with them to know that what they have is real. Second who are you calling a douche when you sleep with married women get them pregnant but try to play off as this saint to the cameras!” Casey roared.

  The room fell silent.

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about! You’re just some muscled up loon…”

  Casey punched Jared. “To hell I don’t know what I’m talking about. It was my wife at the fucking time, you bastard. Honestly, I pity your child because neither of its parents know their heads from their asses. Back off an honest man, and get your own life in check!”

  Casey returned to us and we all walked backstage. No one rushed to help Jared, he sat there on his ass staring up at where Casey once stood. My heart actually broke for the man. When I turned around Jake was right with me and I knew he felt as bad as I did. We each walked out on the stage and reached our hands out. Jared looked at us with confusion, but took our hands and we helped him up and walked off the stage.

  Casey and Jake talked backstage with Jared for a while. Jared had no idea that he was a dad nor that she had been married. Basically what Casey found out was that his ex-wife was a slut and hadn’t been faithful for any portion of their marriage. It broke my heart for Casey, but Jared seemed to change at that moment too.

  Every time I’ve ever watched the awards show there has been at least one scandal during the airing and well, we happened to bring that entertainment and tearful moment. We left the ceremony way later than I wanted to. Jake had to stop for pictures and with my permission did some interviews. He opted out of the after parties because of how late it already was. By the time we got into the car, I fell asleep in his lap.

  # # #

  Two weeks later…

  Jake kept his promise. He promised me that once the news was out that I was pregnant and we were married that I didn’t have to stay cooped up at the cabin anymore, but I couldn’t lea
ve without Paco, Dean and Casey. Casey decided to stay on full time with Jake. He said he loved the adrenaline rush it brought.

  Today Jake had some commercial to shoot, while he was shooting the commercial I was shopping for clothes. Though, it depressed me how big I had to buy them, I did find some cute clothes. Shopping with Paco was a blast.

  “Come on! Come out and show us,” Paco urged.

  “I don’t want to. I look ridiculous.”

  “Oh, stop it and bring your pregnant ass out here,” Dean shouted.

  I fake gasped. “Is that how you talk to your surrogate?”

  Dean and Paco got news back just yesterday that they will indeed be parents. Each woman was pregnant and they couldn’t be more thrilled. We couldn’t be more thrilled for them.

  Walking out into the sitting area of the dressing room, I waited for them to look up.

  “Fuck,” Casey muttered.

  “Oh hell! You have to buy that! Jake will be squirming in his seat when he sees you.”

  “Really?” I asked skeptically.

  Casey shifted in his seat. “Really,” he muttered.

  I went back into the stall and changed back into my clothes and walked out with the twelve outfits I was going to be purchasing. Just as the guys were about to come into view, I felt the gun in my back. I screamed loudly before I could stop it from coming out.

  “You shouldn’t have done that.”

  The guys came barreling out toward me and stopped when they saw the gun that was now pointed at my head. Their faces paled and I could see them all clenching their fists and jaws.

  “Let her go,” Casey hissed.

  “Oh you asked so nicely,” he rolled his eyes. “She’s going to pay for what she did to me,” he growled.

  “I didn’t do anything to you,” my voice was shaking, I couldn’t help it.

  “You did,” he screamed as he shook me and pressed the gun firmly against my head.

  “Let her go. This is going to take far more away from you than whatever you think she did,” Paco tried to reason with him.

  “I have nothing left to lose, fucker,” he roared.

  “You’re facing life in prison at this point,” Dean pointed his gun at him. “Or death. I’d say you have a lot to lose at this point.”

  Jake. I need Jake. My heart hammered in my chest at a rate that was deafening to my ears. There was no way this was going to end well. All those messages and letters that I’d gotten at the office, I should have took more seriously. It was the reason Jake had beefed up security when we went to the awards show. Also why he won’t let me out alone. A lot of good it did to have three body guards right now, when I’m standing here with a gun pointed to my head and my guards are helpless.

  “You took my life away from me,” he seethed in my ear, lowering his gun to my stomach. “So, I’m going to take your life from you.”

  Nerves were taking over me. My body began to shake. Suddenly, I was shoved from behind stumbling forward. Turning, I saw Leon standing there pointing the gun at me. The most evil of smiles played on his face as I watched him cock his gun and his finger press the trigger.

  BANG!...

  Chapter Thirty

  Jake

  The commercial was just getting ready to start shooting again after a break due to camera malfunction. That’s when my cellphone rang constantly. I was about to shut it off when I got the nine, one, one tone. It was then I answered immediately.

  “What’s wrong?”

  There was a bunch of noise and screaming going on and I couldn’t understand what Dean was trying to say to me. Then I heard crystal clear his next sentence to whoever was around.

  “She’s five months pregnant with triplets. The bullet hit…”

  That was the last I heard before I literally started screaming into the phone to get Dean’s attention.

  “There’s been a shooting. Get to Memorial West Hospital. Hurry!”

  I was already running across the set, the director yelling at me.

  “My wife’s been fucking shot!” It was all I said before I jumped into my vehicle and floored it out of the parking lot.

  The traffic was horrible and I actually found myself running a few stop signs and stop lights on the way there. I prayed that I’d get pulled over so they could usher me to the hospital. Sadly, I didn’t have that kind of luck. The total drive was about forty five minutes before I finally arrived.

  I was frantic by the time I ran into the hospital. Screaming at the nurse for my wife, she just kept staring at me frozen in spot. Dean burst through the doors right before I ripped into the nurse and ushered me back to where Vicky was.

  “They said it was a through and through. She was shot in the shoulder. Jake wait,” Dean hesitated, pulling my arm.

  “What!” I roared wanting to get to my wife.

  “Casey saved her life, but they don’t know if he’s going to make it,” he said sadly.

  “Oh God,” I breathed.

  What was I going to tell Vicky?

  “Keep me updated. I’ll hold off on telling Vicky until we know what is going on. Okay?”

  Dean nodded his head and looked at me, “I’m so sorry.”

  I pulled Dean into a hug. Vicky meant the world to more than just me. She had to be okay.

  “I’m going to see my wife now, then I want to be told what the fuck happened today, okay?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Turning, I walked through the door that led to my wife. My heart clenched tightly in my chest at the sight of her. Her arm was bandaged and in a sling. She looked pale and her eyes were closed.

  Oh God, I couldn’t protect her.

  There was a nurse and doctor in there talking back and forth. I looked at them for answers. They continued talking as if I wasn’t even there or that my eyes weren’t staring holes into them.

  “Your wife will be fine, Mr. Williams. She’ll need to restrict movement in that arm for a while, but she’ll be okay,” the doctor finally acknowledged me.

  “And the babies?” I gulped.

  “Just fine. The other fella saved her and them,” he said almost sadly.

  I nodded my head and looked down at my sleeping wife. My chest tightened again. Taking her hand, I squeezed it gently in mine. Her eyes opened and she looked at me. When she saw me sitting there, she started crying and I held her gently in my arms, trying to offer her comfort that I didn’t really have to give her because I, myself, was a wreck.

  “Casey,” she mumbled in my chest. “Casey was shot saving me. I won’t leave the house ever again. I promise. Please just make sure he’s okay. Please,” she sobbed into my chest.

  “He’s still in surgery,” Dean said from the other side of the bed.

  Vicky cried harder into my chest. My heart was breaking for her. For the first time, I didn’t have an answer to give her. There was nothing that could be said to ease her heart. Her friend was fighting for his life.

  Even though she may not love Casey like she loves me, she still loved him. Now she will forever blame herself if something happened to him because he was protecting her. Vicky was a strong woman and beyond brave, but I’m not sure she’ll be the same woman after today. Even if Casey were to survive, this moment because of that one horrific moment, Vicky will close up and close off. And that… that will kill me.

  # # #

  Two weeks later…

  We stopped into the hospital again to check up on Casey’s condition. He was still in a coma and not much had changed. We were sitting in his room, Vicky was reading to him, when a commotion started outside. Vicky stood up and walked to the door.

  “What the hell is going on out here?” She whispered yelled.

  “I’m trying to get in here to see my husband and they won’t let me in,” said a brunette woman.

  I recognized her right away from the description that Casey had given of his ex-wife. The nerve she had in coming here. It pissed me off, but the rage I felt coming from my wife shocked me.

  “H
e’s not your husband. You’re not family. You can leave and leave now before I have you thrown out on your ass. Believe me, these men here will do whatever I ask them to do,” she hissed pointing at Paco and Dean.

  “Who the hell do you think you are?”

  “We’re his family,” I said firmly. “Now you have exactly five minutes to leave before you are escorted out and they will make sure it’s not done nicely just to honor our brother,” I hissed angrily.

  She huffed, and then stormed off to the elevators. Paco went to talk to security and inform them that, that woman was not allowed anywhere near Casey or there’d be hell to pay. We were just about to walk back in the room when two women came forward.

  “Is this Casey Bishop’s room?”

  “Who’s asking?”

  “We’re his sisters, Jacy and Rhianna.”

  “Please come in. We’re protective of your brother. His ex-wife just tried to get in here claiming to be his wife.”

  They both glared. “I don’t want her anywhere near him,” they said in unison.

  “We’ve already informed security so even when we aren’t here, they know she isn’t allowed near him.”

  “It took so long to get here. How… How’s he doing?” Jacy asked.

  “The same. No improvements, but no drop either. It’s a waiting game.”

  Vicky was bawling standing off in a corner of the room. I walked to her and held her trying to calm her down.

  “Are you Vicky?” Rhianna asked.

  Vicky sniffled, “Yes.”

  “Casey told us so much about you. Wish you would have chosen my brother, but I can see you made the right choice. Casey’s spoke highly of you both.”